Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris
Originally published January 4 , 2008
Some Japanese Food And Sushi Bar, Too
Gimchi, New Korean Restaurant With
Tabletop Grills, Opens In Metairie
Grilled, marinated meats are a mainstay of Korean cooking. Enough so that when Henry Lee operated his now-gone Genghis Khan, he often stated his wish to install an open grill right in the middle of the dining room for bulgoki and the other Korean barbecue specialties. He never did, nor has anyone else.
Until now. Jackie Chan, a Chinese restaurateur who operates Mikimoto, the popular sushi bar in the Carrollton section, has opened Gimchi. And there are grills all around Gimchi. Right in the middle of most tables.
These grills are smaller than the hibachi grills in some local Japanese places, and don't have goofball chefs throwing food around. You're the chef--if you want to be. Exhaust fans built into the units will pull the smoke away as you cook your own meats and vegetables. You may also get the same dishes prepared in the kitchen for you, if you prefer.
"Gimchi" is an unusual (but authentic) spelling for kimchee, the universal appetizer-side dish in Korean restaurants. It's a cold, pickled, very spicy cabbage; sometimes radishes and other vegetables get the same treatment.
The menu includes many classic Korean dishes, most of which have been seen here previously only at the Korea House in Fat City. Bibimbop, for example, is a hot stone bowl fileld with vegetables and meats, tossed to cook at the table with an egg cracked into the bowl. The big, spicy noodle soups of Korea are also on the menu, and more than a few grilled meats and seafoods.
Gimchi also has a full sushi bar. This is not uncommon in Korean restaurants around the country: Korea and Japan are close cultural cousins (although they don't like to admit it), and the two cuisines dovetail well.
The restaurant is in a long-running restaurant building North Turnbull just off Veterans in Metairie. Of the many restaurants that have occupuied it, India Palace was the most recent. It closed for the hurricane, and never reopened--largely because of flood damage. Chan has performed a deep renovation, creating a very handsome space.
The restaurant is only open for dinner now, but will add lunch after awhile.
Gimchi. Metairie: 3322 N Turnbull Dr. 454-6426.
© 2008 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com